How to Drive a Moving Van
One way to save money during your move to a new home is to rent the van or truck and drive it yourself instead of hiring movers to load, move and unload your belongings. However, driving a large moving van is much different than driving a regular car. Take the necessary precautions to ensure your moving experience is safe and successful.
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Instructions
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Determine what size van you will need, and how long you will need it for. The van size is usually based on the number of rooms in your current house or the total square footage in the house. The length of time you need the van for is based on how far away you are moving, and how many people you have to help you load and unload the van. Generally, you can do a local move in one or two days, or a cross country move in about a week.
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Find a rental company. You can search online, look in your phone book or ask a friend or relative for a referral. Contact at least three companies to ensure the price you are quoted is comparable to others and to make sure that the company you use has the right van available for the time you need.
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Contact the rental company to check what kind of driver's license is required for the person or people driving the van, as well as other requirements like minimum age or driving records. Generally, a standard driver's license is sufficient for driving a moving van, but if you are renting a large truck, a commercial license may be required.
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Contact your insurance company to make you you are covered when driving the van. All other drivers need to make sure they are covered as well. Coverage should include the driver, passengers, personal belongings in the van and the van itself. If you are not covered, be sure to ask the rental company about insurance options; you do not want to drive the van without insurance coverage because it is illegal and unsafe.
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Make the reservation. You will likely need to pay a deposit at the time you make your reservation. Be sure to specify what date and time you can pick the van up, as well as the date, time and location for dropping the van off after your move. Also, be sure to specify whether multiple people will be driving the van, and make sure they are all eligible.
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Pick up your rental van at the specified time. Ask the rental agent for any specific operating instructions, and be sure the van is in good condition.
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Take the van for a test drive on a road or area that is not busy. Practice turning, stopping, moving forward and backward and other standard driving maneuvers. If you are uncomfortable driving the van after sufficient practice, ask someone else to do the driving (make sure the rental company authorizes the person as a driver), or consider hiring a moving company to drive your belongings instead.
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Tips & Warnings
Reserve your moving van well in advance. The busiest times for moving van rental companies are typically at the end of each month or during the summer.
Be sure all of your mirrors and your driver's chair is adjusted so you are comfortable and can operate the van safely.
References
- Photo Credit van fano denmark image by david harding from Fotolia.com
